Gunmetal Magic

By: Ilona Andrews

Narrated by: Renée Raudman

Length: 12 hrs and 43 mins

Publisher's summary

Audie Award Nominee, Paranormal, 2013

After being kicked out of the Order of the Knights of Merciful Aid, Andrea's whole existence is in shambles. She tries to put herself back together by working for Cutting Edge, a small investigative firm owned by her best friend. When several shapeshifters working for Raphael Medrano-the male alpha of the Clan Bouda, and Andrea's former lover-die unexpectedly at a dig site, Andrea is assigned to investigate. Now she must work with Raphael as her search for the killer leads into the secret underbelly of supernatural Atlanta. And dealing with her feelings for him might have to take a back seat to saving the world.

©2012 Andrew Gordon and Ilona Gordon (P)2012 Tantor

For fans of Kate Daniels

This new offshoot is well worth it for fans of the Kate Daniels books. The reader continues to do a wonderful job voicing the characters and it was great fun to get more insight into the characters of Kate's world.

However, I wouldn't recommend this book for those who haven't read anything else in the series. You simply won't have as much fun as those readers who have been reading/listening to the series up till now. Go back to "Magic Bites", work your way up to "Magic Bleeds" and then read/listen to this book.

I want another Andrea book!

I love this book, the series, and the narrator! It's the perfect blend of funny and intense.

Worth reading again but...

The storylines were strung out too long. I think this would have made an excellent novella.

Great supplement to the storyline

Andreas story is finally explained and you get to see inside her pain to explain why she is the way she is. The relationship story does drag out a little longer than I would like but it is understandable why they both have so many dysfunctional issues to resolve. Love the series and this is another awesome chapter

An Excellent Addition to an Amazing Series

What did you like best about this story?

When the authors announced they were skipping an installment of this series to release a full-length story about a Andrea, a side character and best friend to the main protagonist, I was excited to get the side character's book, and yet disappointed to have to wait longer to get back to the main series. This book really came through and told a beautifully detailed story showcasing side characters and filling in fascinating backstories.

This story really stands out to me because the author has a gift to give such small details that reveal so much on a character and really starts a craving to see more of each and every character.

Have you listened to any of Ren??e Raudman???s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I've listened to all of the Kate Daniels series from Renee Raudman. She's excellent at bringing forth the constant humor in the stories without taking away from the intensity of the mood.

Any additional comments?

Ilona Andrews tells an incredible, richly visual story that is filled with humor. Renee Raudman really brings the characters to life.

Another Alpha Bites the Dust

Ilona Andrews can do no wrong in my books. Their heroines are utterly amazing. Andrea Nash deserved another story and her happily ever after which of course had to be won with sweat, blood -lots of blood- and love. Raphael got under my skin for a bit, however, little by little he earned my respect. This is a story about Andrea coming to terms with her painful and horrible past as well as her acceptance that it is okay to belong.

Raphael and Andrea had broken up in a previous book and how they finally mended their relationship was a thing of beauty and this is why I love Ilona's take on relationships. Andrea and Raphael had to first, rant and vent for a time, then play and flirt and lastly they had to talk about how they hurt each, why they both reacted and did the things they did and finally they accepted each other as they are. So not only did they had to kill a god but they had to fix themselves. All in the day's work for Andrea and Cutting Edge. Oh, and Kate and Curran graced us with their presence and that was awesome.

Ms Raudman is one of my favourite narrators. She has different voices for all characters and does it superbly. She is now part of Kate Daniels universe and hope it never changes.

The start of the addiction

This is the book that started me on my Ilona Andrews addiction! Unique and creative, I can't get enough!

Crazy Good

Got to love a Bouda adventure especially one with short appearances by Aunt B....scary woman.

The World of Kate Daniels via Andrea Nash

Gunmetal Magic takes place after Retribution Clause, at the same time as Magic Gifts and before Magic Rises. It's the story of what happened to Andrea, both as a little girl, and after the end of Magic Bleeds. Andrea was severely abused by her previous Bouda (werehyena) clan, so much so that she nearly died. Consequently, she sees the "animal" part of herself as something to be denied, ignored and hidden at all costs. She attends the academy of the Order of Knights of Merciful Aid as soon as possible, and gets through with flying colors. At the end of Magic Bleeds, she's so badly hurt that her body knocks her out so that it can heal itself and her "animal" side is revealed to the Order, which promptly kicks her out. She returns to Atlanta, feeling like a failure, and is hired by Kate to work with her a Cutting Edge. Andrea is hired by Jim to investigate some shapeshifter murders while Kate and Curran are trying to figure out how to save a little boy's life. Many things happen in this book, including Andrea and Raphael coming to terms with their relationship. The two of them, along with others, end up battling with two ancient early Egyptian gods. They survive the battle, barely, and their love for each other is deeper and more secure than ever. Andrea realizes that she's let her past color every part of her life and Raphael realizes that he's done the same. They both grow and mature in this book and become better people for it. Kate is in the book, though mostly on the periphery. It's another wonderful addition to the world of Kate Daniels. Renee Raudman continues to excel in the performance she gives, this time to Andrea Nash. When she's telling us what happened to Andrea as a little girl, it infuriated me on Andrea's behalf. When she's telling us about Andrea being confronted by one of her tormenters and Raphael talking her through it, it made me want to cry. Another outstanding job by Renee Raudman!

My favorite series!

If you could sum up Gunmetal Magic in three words, what would they be?

Badass, smart, and hilarious.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Andrea is the main character of this installment (Kate Daniels is the central character of the series). She is smart, a badass fighter, and won't let anyone getting the better of her if she's investigating a mystery. Ascanio, the teenage bouda who helps her when hunting down clues, is hilarious, and I'm glad he's getting his time to shine as well and isn't just an empty teenage Casanova trope.

What does Renée Raudman bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Renée's narration of this, as well as all of the other Kate Daniels' books, is spot on. She gives each character a distinctive voice and does female badass really well, whether its Kate or Andrea. Not too strident, not too soft. Ass kicking, just right!

Any additional comments?

The whole Kate Daniels series is exceptional, my absolute favorite urban supernatural fantasy. The balance of action, adventure, mystery, sex and romance is just right. The females leads are written very well - smart and dark without being maudlin. Their relationships are important to them, without ruling their lives. The action and mysteries are the main focus of the series, rather than how to get the hot guy (even if they do get him in the end). I love it!